Your Love Horoscope for 2017

Tracy Allen’s love horoscope columns appear regularly online. In addition to astrology, she has a graduate education in counseling psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist. Follow @astrotherapist on Twitter and email tallennyc@gmail.com to schedule a private session.

ARIES

March 21–April 19

The law of attraction is on your side during Venus’ extended stay in your sign this year (February 3 to April 2, and April 28 to June 6). Although you’re nearly impossible to resist, when Venus backtracks in Aries from March 4 through April 2, you probably won’t be feeling the love. During that month, think about how you come across and ask yourself if you’re happy with the image you’re projecting—and take a break from dating if you’re not in the mood. Mars, your ruling planet, visits Aries from January 27 to March 9, giving you even more cojones than usual, so if you get impatient (who, you?) with the whole moth-to-the-flame thing, make the first move!

A love affair might flatline or finally blossom around February 10, courtesy of a lunar eclipse in your romance zone. Playing the dating game? Look to meet a serious contender after the solar eclipse on August 21. Lucky Jupiter in your relationship angle has you believing in commitment more than ever, and it’s heading into your intimacy sector on October 10—meaning you might get even more serious with your bae in the fall. And whether you’re settled down or hooking up, after Mars charges into your sex zone on December 9, you’ll finish 2017 with a bang!

TAURUS

April 20–May 20

Mars barrels through your sign from March 9 to April 21, giving you the green light to take charge—in your love life and wherever else you’re eager to call the shots. When Venus visits Taurus from June 6 through July 4, you won’t have to make so much effort. With the love planet’s powers of seduction working for you, you’ll have suitors wrapped around your finger. Then Mars and Venus activate your romance sector in the fall (September 5 to October 22 and September 19 to October 14, respectively), making that a killer time for dating.

With mature Saturn parked in your intimacy house for the past couple of years, you’re serious about sharing your life with someone. So when hopeful Jupiter crosses your commitment angle on October 10 for a 13-month tour, a proposal, wedding, or collab with your significant other could be on the horizon. Jupiter’s there to teach you how to get good at relationships—and being open and honest will make you a quick study! Venus gets cozy in your relationship and intimacy houses November 7 through December 24, luring you to do the same. Again, casual won’t cut it; if you’re not craving a particular guy or gal’s company, you might be better off ignoring booty calls and hanging with your bff.

GEMINI

May 21–June 20

You fickle Twins have had stable Saturn camped out in your partnership angle for the past couple of years, causing you to consider…drum roll please…committing. Deep breaths! Saturn will linger there through December 19, and many of you could tie the knot, get engaged, move in together, or finally get out of a going-nowhere relationship. But with cheerful Jupiter zinging through your romance zone until October 10, you still think love should be fun. Spoken for? Trips and new experiences with your partner will liven things up. Single Gems are more likely than ever to spark with people from different backgrounds and cultures, so date outside your comfort zone. When Mars charges through your sign and your love sector from April 21 to June 4 and from October 22 to December 9, you’re on a mission to get what you want, which could mean landing The One. But while Venus graces those areas of your chart from July 4 to 31 and October 14 to November 7, there’s zero initiative required—you’ll have them at hello! December promises major mistletoe action, compliments of Venus’ presence in your companionship and intimacy houses, so carve out time during this busy season for plenty of dates and parties or behind-closed-doors nights with your S.O.

CANCER

June 21–July 22

Thanks to powerful Pluto’s looong journey through your interpersonal zone, you’ve probably had some ultra-intense encounters, a relationship crisis or two, and maybe a breakup you thought you’d never recover from. Fortunately, Pluto goes retrograde for five months of the year, slowing the pace of change and giving you time to process. So between April 20 and September 28, take a mental step back from your closest relationships and try to regain your perspective. Are you holding on to someone to play it safe? Do you go for bad boys or control freaks? Identify your relationship dynamic and get in the driver’s seat.

While firecracker Mars is in Cancer from June 4 to July 20, you might take a break from dating and do your own thing. But you’ll be beating them off with a stick soon enough, when enticing Venus transits your sign July 31 through August 25—so surround yourself with people you want to attract. After Jupiter arrives in your romance house on October 10 for a 13-month stay, your faith in love will soar. If you’re single, finding Mr. or Ms. Right (or Mr. or Ms. Right Now, if you’d rather play the field) will become an enjoyable quest. Meanwhile, coupled Crabs will start to see their relationship as one big shared adventure!

LEO

July 23–August 22

You’ll kick off 2017 with hot-blooded Mars and amorous Venus in your sex house (January 3 to February 3, respectively), connoting sizzling encounters on cold winter nights! This is your opportunity to act out a fantasy with your partner or hit on your crush instead of waiting for him or her to decode subtler signals. Watch for an old lover to come out of the woodwork when Venus travels retrograde in that house April 2 to 15—and wait until later in the month before you consider hopping back into bed with someone you said sayonara to for a reason. Further complicating matters, dreamy Neptune’s lengthy stopover in your sex house has blurred the line between lust and love. Make sure you stop kissing frogs long enough to give yourself props for all the work you’ve done lately to become a well-rounded and fulfilled adult. With workhorse Saturn lodged in your pleasure sector for one last year (through December 19), your love life is still a slow-and-steady climb, not a lighthearted spree. The upside: You’re as focused as ever on what will make you truly happy! So when a lunar eclipse rocks your commitment angle on August 7, it could be time to dump a bad match or make things more permanent.

VIRGO

August 23–September 22

Relationships are your jam this year, thanks to lovely Venus bouncing between your partnership and intimacy sectors from January 3 to June 6. That’s more than twice as long as she usually hangs around! Whether you have a serious partner, a spouse, or an FWB or are dating around, companionship and sex will hit the spot. With one important exception: Venus is retrograde starting March 4 until April 15, and during that time it will feel harder to connect. An ex is apt to make a comeback too, so you might ask your friends to take your cell phone away if they catch you drunk texting.

Mars cruises through your interpersonal angle through January 27, nudging you to get conflicts out in the open and deal with them. Next, he heats up your sexuality zone through March 9, underscoring the theme of getting busy in the bedroom. With rebellious Uranus in that house, you’ve probably tried a few things in the past five years that would make Christian Grey blush—good for you, shattering that undeserved Virgo stereotype! Neptune in your relationship house has increased the odds of misunderstandings, though, making safe words a must. Plus that dreamy planet can cause you to idealize people, so rely on your trademark critical-thinking skills with new guys or girls.

LIBRA

September 23–October 22

With Jupiter lounging in your sign until October 10, your personal-growth mission continues well into 2017. You’re learning to be more honest and put yourself first for a change. When you need "me" time, you ask for it. The new you is such a free spirit that you might take a solo trip or walk away from someone you think is holding you back. Since Uranus crossed your one-on-one angle in 2011, you’ve dealt with relationship changes, endured a breakup, started attracting wilder types, or embarked on a roller coaster affair. But now you’re getting to know yourself better, and that will help you understand who’s right for you. Between January 27 and July 4, Venus and Mars take turns in your partnership and sexuality houses, persuading you to get back in the game if you’ve taken a break from dating or from togetherness with your S.O. But don’t be surprised by rain checks when Venus backpedals March 4 to April 15, putting everyone, including you, in a less social mood. If you rekindle an old flame then, it may take until summer to determine if that’s a good idea. From October 14 until December 9, Libra hosts Venus and Mars, inviting you to take the reins and ask for what you want. Your wish is their command!

SCORPIO

October 23–November 21

Dynamic Mars begins 2017 in your pleasure zone, giving you the confidence to do whatever floats your boat. Through January 27, slip your digits to your love interest or be proactive about planning the dates you want to go on. With Venus in that house January 3 to February 3 and April 2–28, you’re into PDA and feel like yourself around potential love interests. But note to self: Venus’ retrograde period (April 2–15) could tempt you to jump-start a failed fling, and you’d be smart to swear off recycling. Neptune may have clouded your romantic judgment in the past few years—possibly luring you into the trap of trying to save someone or the holding pattern of waiting to be rescued. Luckily, audacious Jupiter sails into Scorpio on October 10 to remind you that you rock! The planet of freedom and growth stays put for 13 months, inspiring you to live life on your terms and be the best you can be. With Venus in your sign from November 7 to December 1 and Mars closing out the year there (starting December 9), you’re feeling social and bold, so put your sexiest outfits in heavy rotation and celebrate your birthday, the holidays, the solstice, NYE—whether you’re available or attached, at least one person will be enthralled by your charms.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22–December 21

Solid Saturn remains in Sagittarius through December 19, wrapping up a three-year stay that’s pushed you to figure out who you are as an adult—and to structure your life accordingly. You’re uncharacteristically serious these days, but with rule breaker Uranus in your romance sector, your love life unmasks you as the adventurer of the zodiac. You may be enjoying entanglements with exciting people, a steady connection with a surprising choice, or an unconventional relationship. Regardless of your status, you need the freedom to work hard and play hard without having to explain yourself. While Venus is in that sector from February 3 through April 2 and again from April 28 to June 6, you’re all about fun, but the good times will be hard to come by when Venus travels retrograde March 4 to April 2. Look before you leap if an old crush re-enters your life then. When Mars revs up your intimacy house from June 4 until July 20, you’ll bring sexy back in a big way! You might even indulge in a mini staycation with your bedroom buddy. Hit the holiday-party circuit and you could score a new suitor by Christmas, thanks to desirable Venus’ trip through Sag December 1–24. And if you already have a partner, they'll fall for you all over again!

CAPRICORN

December 22–January 19

Since enthusiastic Jupiter crossed your career angle in September, you’ve been even more ambitious than usual, and 2017 provides nine more months of working like crazy to meet your own high expectations. But when Mars treks through your play sector from March 9 to April 21, that’s your cue to move fun to the top of your priority list. Both unattached and coupled Goats need to set aside ample time for dates—and not just the dinner-and-a-movie kind. Mars is the action planet, so get moving with a museum visit, a hike, or a between-the-sheets cardio sesh. When Venus transits that house between June 6 and July 4, hearts and flowers are de rigueur, so gratify your sentimental streak by slipping a love note into your S.O.’s lunch or giving your crush a lingering hug that gets your message across. After a solar eclipse hits your intimacy zone on August 21, a sexual relationship could get off the ground, especially if you’re determined to leave the past behind you. On October 10 lucky Jupiter shows up in your network house for a 13-month tour, suggesting that expanding your contacts will help you find what you’re looking for. Try dating apps, setups through friends and colleagues, flirting with your neighbor’s dog walker—seek and ye shall find!

AQUARIUS

January 20–February 18

A dramatic lunar eclipse in your partnership angle on February 10 provokes you to fish or cut bait. You might issue an ultimatum to someone who’s been stringing you along, declare you’re all in with an unofficial romantic interest, receive a proposal, end a dead-end relationship, decide to move in with your person…whatever the case, the stars say go big or go home! You’ll have a chance to reaffirm your commitment or start fresh with a better match after a solar eclipse lands in that angle on August 21. Motivating Mars dashes through your love-and-happiness zone from April 21 to June 4, pushing you to take the bull by the horns and go after what your heart desires. Save the come-hither glances for Venus’ trip through that zone July 4 to 31—that’s prime flirting season! Mars activates your relationship house between July 20 and September 5, handing you an interesting assignment: Practice fighting fair. Over those six weeks get up the nerve to air grievances and work through problems with a partner or close friend. Mars heads into your intimacy house next, where he’ll dally until October 22—giving you nearly seven weeks for makeup sex. And since sweet Venus makes an overlapping visit to that house (September 19–October 14), closeness is absolutely in the cards.

PISCES

February 19–March 20

You’ll kick off 2017 on a high note with daring Mars traveling through Pisces until January 27, making you incredibly determined to get what you want! Venus zigzags in and out of Pisces early in the year (she’s in your sign January 3 to February 3 and April 2–28), but from March 4 to April 15, she’ll be either hiding out in your solitude corner or traveling retrograde—or both. So in January and the second half of April, you’ll have everyone under your spell and can easily attract the object of your affection. But in March and early to mid-April, you might nurse a secret infatuation, hook up with someone on the DL, be compelled to put someone else’s needs first, or feel totally antisocial.

With confident Jupiter in your intimacy house since September, your sex life has expanded, and that trend continues until October 10. You’re more honest in bed, more open to a wide variety of partners, or more willing to trust someone enough to get emotionally naked with them. Even after Jupiter moves on, Venus and Mars—the zodiac’s lovebirds—dance through that house October 14–November 7 and October 22–December 9, respectively, turning up the thermostat in your bedroom while the temp drops outside.